You Didn't Build That

Judaism's approach to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Sometimes one phrase can catch the imagination of an entire nation. Four years ago Barak Obama uttered just such a phrase, which became a mantra: “Yes we can.”

Sometimes one phrase can deflate the spirit of an entire nation. Last week Barak Obama uttered such a sentence when he said, “If you’ve got a business, you didn’t build that. Somebody else made that happen.”

It is not our intent to get involved in political debate; rather, we would like to ruminate upon the underlying values these statements express and how Jewish wisdom provides a straightforward, useful, and uplifting synthesis of these disparate views. Indeed, Jewish thought in this area goes to the core of the Nation’s founding principles of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness and reconciles the achievements of the individual in the context of a virtuous, effective, and limited government.

America became great because people believed “they could.” They believed that theirs was a land of opportunity, where hard work bore fruit. For the most part, Americans believed in a God who rewards honest, hard work with success and prosperity. Americans believed in themselves and their individual and collective abilities even in difficult times, with an optimism that seemed to outside observers impossible, unrealistic – even bordering on manic.

President Obama was correct when he reminded us that no man is an island. Often, success is impossible without the hard work of others, especially those that came before us. It is of supreme importance for people not to be intoxicated with their own success: the self-made man or woman should not worship his or her creator (with a small “c”). We must not lose sight of personal and communal humility. We must always remember that the many blessings we enjoy have been bestowed upon us by a benevolent Creator. We should feel and express real gratitude and appreciation for all those who raised us, taught us, inspired us and facilitated our success.

Indeed, each of us was born into a world replete with the resources – internal and external, private and public- that gave us the hope and the ability to succeed. These resources, these invaluable gifts, presented us with both the opportunity and the responsibility to achieve greatness. Therefore more than "yes we can," we have been told, "yes – we must."

We possess an inexhaustible capacity to create, to build, and to improve.

We possess an inexhaustible capacity to create, to build, and to improve. We are endowed with the potential for greatness; we therefore have the responsibility to be great, to make a difference. This is our challenge: Yes, you can build that, and yes, you should be applauded for your efforts when you try, and celebrated when you succeed. For while we are all capable, not all are willing to step up and meet the challenge.

This, then, is where the president misspoke: he intimated that building upon existing knowledge or utilizing existing resources somehow lessens the beauty of individual achievement. In fact, this is precisely what makes it all the more impressive: there are still among us individuals or communities that refuse to stagnate, refuse to leave well-enough alone, refuse to be satisfied with leaving the hard work to others. Those who still strive to excel, to propel themselves above the pack, should not be told, “The success was not yours.” They should not be told, “you didn’t,” "we didn't" – because, in fact, they did.

And because of these individuals' success, the entire nation moves forward – economically, technologically, and in so many other ways. "We can" because each and every one of us can; we succeed and thrive because there are individuals among us who take the initiative, take the risks – and get the job done.

The Jewish approach, as articulated by a Talmudic sage over two thousand years ago, has always been a healthy balance between appreciation of what we have received, the hard work needed to achieve our own success, and investment in the future. The name of the sage who taught us this great lesson was Honi, and he learned this important balance from someone else – an anonymous man, whose words still ring true across the span of thousands of years.

One day he (Honi) was journeying on the road and he saw a man planting a carob tree; he asked him, “How long does it take [for this tree] to bear fruit?” The man replied: “Seventy years.” He then further asked him: “Are you certain that you will live another seventy years?” The man replied: “I found [ready grown] carob trees in the world; as my forefathers planted these for me so I too plant these for my children.” (Babylonian Talmud, Ta’anit 23a)

We are taught that we must take an active role, and not merely enjoy the fruits of our predecessors' labors. We must plant, and work, and not rely upon others to do so for us. If we begin to think that we "did not build this" we will arrive at the conclusion that "we cannot build this", and we will not try to build, to plant, to use the resources available to us in creative new ways. This seems to be the message of the Talmud: the Jewish approach is to take note of the things in this world I found when I arrived, and to rise up to the challenge: to toil, to plant – for myself, and, even if I will not see the fruits, for future generations.

Some types of planting are more arduous than others. Often, hard work is involved. Sometimes we are fortunate enough to see and enjoy the fruits of our labor; sometimes our efforts will only bear fruit in later generations – but we roll up our sleeves, we work, and we succeed. Yes, we can.

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About the Author

Rabbi Ari Kahn received his rabbinic ordination from Yeshiva University's Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary where he studied with Rabbi Yosef Dov Soloveitchik. He graduated Yeshiva University with a BA in psychology and an MS degree in Talmud.

He is Director of Foreign Student Programs at Bar-Ilan University in Israel, where he also is a senior lecturer in Jewish studies.

He is a renowned speaker, and has lectured worldwide. Having authored hundreds of articles on the weekly parasha and holidays with a readership in excess of 10,000, Rabbi Kahn is also the author of Explorations, an in-depth analysis of the weekly Torah reading, and Emanations, an in-depth analysis of the Jewish holidays. A new series - "Echoes of Eden" is currently in progress. This is a projected 5 volume set to be published by the OU and Gefen Publishing. The first three volumes are in print and the fourth is in production.

Drawing upon the vast reservoir of rabbinic literature – from Talmud to Midrash, from Zohar to the chassidic masters – Rabbi Kahn combines the mystical explorations of kabbala and chassidism with a highly-intellectual and broad-minded approach to Torah study. He applies psychology, literature and Jewish history to the understanding of esoteric midrashim and the Zohar. Five volumes of "Explorations" have been published in French. He has lived in Israel since 1984 with his wife Naomi and 5 children.

Visitor Comments: 50

(25)
mitch,
September 4, 2012 12:50 PM

interesting excerpt from Financial Times

GIDEON RACHMAN, Financial Times, "Now Obama must build the case for government": "The potential for mishap is underlined by ... you didn't build that' ... The Democrats' defence is that the president was merely talking about the need for government to provide vital services, such as infrastructure. They insist his remarks were ripped out of context. But, in truth, they don't sound too great in context, either. Mr Obama sneered at successful people, who think 'well it must just be because I was so smart'. A political gaffe is most dangerous when it seems to confirm what voters already suspect. And the president was already vulnerable to the idea that he has scant sympathy with the strivings of the little guy."

(24)
Michael L Schwartz,
August 5, 2012 4:03 PM

We didn't take out of context or misunderstand.

We have heard the exuse before. Obama says something that infuriates people and the response is "taken out of context" or "you didn't understand what was said". How ignotant does Obama, and his die-hard supporters, think the rest of the population is. The attitude is that those who dis-agree are to ignorant to be able to understand what is being said. This is insulting to the entire population. Someone who, alledgedly, attended Harvard Law School should be capable of structuring thier words so as to avoid misunderstanding or lack of context.

(23)
Joanne W,
August 5, 2012 2:34 AM

You Didn't Quote That -- You Misquoted

If the author did not listen to the actual speech, but only the words taken out of context, then he has based his entire article on a misunderstanding. No individual built the roads and bridges that everyone depends upon. That takes a society and government, and it functions with everyone's support. So, just like we need to realize that it is our Creator who is behind our personal successes (because He built us, with help from our parents, extended family and society); the society we live in, and our governments, local, state and national, build and maintain the infrastructure that makes commerce possible, let alone successful.

Anonymous,
August 5, 2012 4:16 PM

Remember Gideon?

Gideon is one of many examples in scripture, where Hashem went to great lengths to remind the people, that they do not succeed on their own or by their own strength entirely. However much the hypocritically religious on the right might detest that they are *not* the masters of creation, they are not, and no, they really didn't build that. They did only a part, yet claim credit for the whole and are furious that Obama dares remind them of that.

mitch julis,
August 26, 2012 6:24 AM

the article makes the very point you say we fail to make

We understand that the President was referring to infrastructure like roads and other resources that exist because government exists. Jewish wisdom and values provided a framework for taking the President Obama's talk and putting the American "[yes we] can do" spirit of individualism and entrenpeurship in a more positive, inspiring, and encouraging context. President Obama should read some of the articles at aish.com to access this kind of wisdom -- it might work wonders for him -- and for the country. :)

(22)
Deacon Jim Stagg,
August 5, 2012 12:16 AM

Great Analysis

Thank you, Rabbi Kahn, for a great analysis of what must be the biggest flub the president has ever uttered. Anyone who studies (seriously) the history of the United States understands the strength that was brought to its founding and development by the Jewish community....at least back to the Revolutionary War. You DO know of what you speak, and your words are true.
Thank you.

(21)
simple,
August 3, 2012 11:38 AM

why quote him at the end?

when you conclude your piece by quoting hussein obama, you are tacitly showing approval of him. this is terrible as he is the most anti israel president ever. the quote from honi was excellent and shows beautifully the jewish approach. thanks for that. but a better conclusion..a torah conclusion would be more appropriate.

Joe,
August 5, 2012 4:13 PM

Torah is about truth

Really, worse than Carter? The truth is that Obama is pretty much straight down the middle in his support of Israel, exactly like W. Bush, Clinton and Bush Sr. He is no more or less a friend of Israel than any of those presidents.

(20)
Joe,
August 2, 2012 3:44 PM

Ironically the point of the *actual* Obama quote was the point of the article.

Here is the full actual quote:
"
If you were successful, somebody along the line gave you some help. There was a great teacher somewhere in your life. Somebody helped to create this unbelievable American system that we have that allowed you to thrive. Somebody invested in roads and bridges. If you’ve got a business. you didn’t build that. Somebody else made that happen. The Internet didn’t get invented on its own. Government research created the Internet so that all the companies could make money off the Internet.
The point is, is that when we succeed, we succeed because of our individual initiative, but also because we do things together. There are some things, just like fighting fires, we don’t do on our own. I mean, imagine if everybody had their own fire service. That would be a hard way to organize fighting fires."
here is a link:
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/07/did-obama-say-if-youve-got-a-business-you-didnt-build-that/
Judaism says that a half truth is a whole lie. It is shameful for this publication to repeat obvious distortions, and disheartening to see fellow Jews frothing in the comments when they could so easily have looked this up.

Larry,
August 3, 2012 6:51 PM

It's the words, "if you got a business you didn't build it".

If obama had said, nobody is successful all on their own. Someone built the roads that allow your customers to get to your store, someone built the power lines that powers your factory. Someone lent you the money to invest in your business. He did not say it right. He said and I'll use your words. "If you've got a business, you did'nt build that. Somebody elce made that happen". He simply forgot or on purpose did not include the owner of the business. Because, somebody else made that happen.

Anonymous,
August 5, 2012 4:28 PM

Someone else did. We call Him is Hashem.

We also should thank many others. Our parents for example: How many GOP candidates, both Bushs and Romney spring to mind, would be where they are without a rich trust fund? How safe would America be without the brave men who fought for her? I wrote above about remembering Gideon. Judaism goes to great lengths to remind people that we play a part, but are only a part and we don't run the world. So no they didn't build that - not without Hashem, and their parents, and their teachers, and the police, and the military, and the roads and the bridges. For people who talk about G-d so much, it is peculiar that so many miss this basic fact and become so full of arrogance in the face of Hashem. It was not by their might alone they built anything.

Larry,
August 7, 2012 7:46 AM

Your correct in saying Hashem.

But that is not what Obama said either. It was only the owner that he was disregarding.

(19)
Pinchas Pundit,
August 1, 2012 2:16 AM

Writing that crackles

This article hits the nail right on the bulls-eye. We need more writing that lucidly expresses the truth. The writing is crisp,
brief, and its in the readers language.

Anonymous,
August 1, 2012 11:30 PM

agree 100%

Unfortunately, too few seem to understand this.

(18)
Benjamin Silver,
August 1, 2012 12:32 AM

Fox News did not lie

Fox News most definitely did not lie. They played Obama's comments in its entirety - and what he said is exactly what he meant. Now, he claims they were "taken out of context." What a farce.

Anonymous,
August 5, 2012 12:26 AM

Fox News

Faux News rarely reports the truth but rather distortions of facts. It is a pity that individuals decide to turn a blind eye to truth.

(17)
Eplicator,
July 31, 2012 4:10 PM

It's not about life, liberty or happiness. It's about building

Rabbi Kahn writes, "Jewish thought in this area goes to the core of the Nation’s founding principles of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness..." But he never explains how that relates to his article. The article is a criticism of Obama, true. But it has nothing to do with life, liberty, etc.
The core of the article is that you think you built it but lazy people don't build; you and I build. From scratch, no less.
The president spoke in context, but out-of-context. That is the problem.

(16)
Az,
July 31, 2012 3:59 PM

Please be a Jew first and a Republican second

Judaism has been around for a long time and has such a rich tradition and history. But what does it say about us today that not a few can be so assured that this tradition is in line with the narrow contradictory and most often petty platform of party politics in the us?

Anonymous,
August 1, 2012 11:41 PM

for sure we are Jews first

However, the "petty" platform can destroy us. So, to ignore it "could" be a death sentence for our future. Unfortunately, as in times past..some Jews choose the wrong path and hurt us all. We have survived, but it's not over yet.

Abigail,
August 2, 2012 9:00 PM

totally misses the point of article

The views expressed in the article transcend partisan politics even though they are a response to the statements of a politician. Clearly the article is warranted given the gravity of Obama's statement. Obama, in a moment of candor made clear to his audience his philosophical leanings, which to any person who has observed him dispassionately since his appearance on the world stage, have been obvious. You erroneously imply that this article reduces Judaism to being "in line with the narrow contradictory and most often petty platform of party politics in the us." Actually, you have it exactly backwards: traditional American values, since the inception of the USA, were founded on Judeo-Christian values, chief among them the concept that G-d endows man with opportunities and therefore a responsibility to reach his potential, and to reward accordingly man for his efforts. As an aside, there are many scholarly books around that discuss in depth the religious and historical roots that animated the early American colonists. Too bad these historical influences are so alien to this president.

(15)
Lynnie,
July 31, 2012 2:39 PM

Not taken out of context at all

Whenever Obama doesn't have his teleprompter (so much for his brilliant powers of oration), he speaks his true view, in this case, his wildly inaccurate belief that any private enterprise that succeeds would not have done so without government help.
Under his administration, nearly 150 new regulations have been put in place that are strangling the economy. These days, those of us who even would dare to try a new entrepreneurial venture know that if we can build that, it will only be by fighting the mindless and destructive layers of government bureaucracy, red tape reminiscent of socialist countries, and other hoops to jump through.
WHy is it so hard for people to see Obama's antipathy for classic American entrepreneurial spirit? If he had ever run a real business he might be more economically articulate.

James Salomon,
August 1, 2012 12:15 AM

The true meaning of you didn't build that.

When a person sets out to build a business he relies on skilled employees, good schools, fair laws, good transportation systems, electricity, safe water and hundreds of other things. Many of the goods and services depend on the government. Many things rely on the good will and trust of the community. Blaming the President or the government is an easy way to avoid the truth.

(14)
Anonymous,
July 31, 2012 2:04 PM

Is Honi a sage?

Main point: if you built it, maybe you did it but
what if you got a lot of help? Did Israelite
Slaves build the pyramids? Yes. Who helped them???
One critique. On what evidence is Honi a
Sage? He's a miracle worker. A religious man.
He whips up a mean cholent (see Baba Kama
84a I think). But he's not a Talmudic Sage.
Rabbi Kahn should explain why he keeps repeating
that inapplicable designation.

Tentsitter,
August 1, 2012 2:57 AM

Definitely a sage

Not sure what you were basing your question about Honi's sage-status, but look further down the daf in Taanis 23a: "(Honi) went to the study hall (beis medresh), and heard the Rabbis saying, "Our words are illuminating like in the years of Honi Hamaagal, because when (Honi) came, he would answer any questions that the rabbis had."

(13)
Anonymous,
July 31, 2012 1:01 PM

Some of these comments are chilling.

I'm very disturbed by talk of "unproductive parts of society" and warnings not to "equate entrepreneurialism and business accumen with unskilled labor". Why ever not? Surely if there's one profound lesson we can learn from Judaism, it is that all people are precious - whether they are economic "producers" or not! That is one of the points Pres. Obama and his fellow Democratics make: we are all in this together: the factory laborer and the factory owner. Society (and Government) has a duty to each. And quite frankly, I find it terrifying that the President even needs to defend that.

Anonymous,
August 17, 2012 1:18 AM

I think you missed the point

No one said that unskilled laborers are not good people, but equating those jobs with those of job creators like entrepreneurs and small business leaders is damaging to the entire country's fiscal growth, quality of life and financial independence. Now that's chilling.

(12)
Marc,
July 31, 2012 4:06 AM

Loved the sentiment

It is a shame that the whole Torah standing on one foot must always include an apologetic for the President. Good word, Rabbi. Yes, we can; yes we should; yes I can.

(11)
elaine,
July 31, 2012 3:30 AM

Fox lied - Aish repeats slander

Fox lied. They took the President's phrase out of context and continued to create and spread lies and false attacks. Aish looses credibility when it gets into dirty politics like this. Please stick to religion and not politics of any kind.

Samson,
July 31, 2012 9:43 AM

No actually YOU lied

You must have been told to say that because it is a FACT that FNC showed more than just a clip and didn't play the usual liberal trick of taking things out of context.
They played what Obama said before during and after that one line.
YOU don't watch Fox News but you are good at tossing out that typical MSNBC line.
Aish loses nothing here but YOU do.
Stick to posting fake stories on a left-wing liberal website.
I'm sure you know where they all are.
Hard to believe Obama got the Jewish vote the first time and it will be harder to believe if that happens again in November.
That clown never will get a vote from my house.

YCM,
July 31, 2012 12:14 PM

You obviously were not listening to Obam's message

If you follow the speech directly
You will see his socialist inclinations.

Robert,
July 31, 2012 11:28 PM

Fox did not lie

I watched the entire segment on Fox. They did not take Pres. Obama's words out of context & indeed did play the entire commentary. Whether one agrees with the president's philosophy or not, we must be meticulously truthful in our arguments.

Anonymous,
August 1, 2012 3:26 AM

Out of context - still objectionable

The full statement was something along the lines of "The government builds roads and bridges. If you've got a business - you didn't build that" The latter part is frequently played as its own sound bite, and is therefore out of context.
However, your politically charged accusation against FOX was unwarranted, given the poor grammar and sentence structure employed by Mr. Obama in this apparently off-the-cuff remark. One has to listen carefully to the whole thing to figure out what he was driving at.
And even then, the statement is still objectionable.
Last I checked, the government has funds to build those roads and bridges because the businessman paid his taxes (along with the rest of us). If the businessman (and the rest of us) would not have paid our taxes, then the roads would not have been able to be built. And if the businessman slacked off or made some bad business decisions and the business went bankrupt, then the roads would not make a difference.

(10)
Anonymous,
July 31, 2012 12:23 AM

Obama defenders wrong, even in context

Even in context, the president's speech is at odds with the well balanced and laudatory points made here by Rabbi Kahn. The president went beyond affirming Warren's "social contract". By equating entrepreneurialism and business accumen with unskilled labor, I suspect he revelaed his true beliefs and likely perilous socialist agenda for massive wealth re-distrubution. Thank you Rabbi Kahn for the well written and needed essay.

(9)
Anonymous,
July 30, 2012 11:47 PM

please read carefully

Please read - Fool Me Twice, Shame on Me at and comments if you wish your children and grandchildren to life in a free world, hope to accomplish their dreams and practice their religion without persecution.

(8)
Anonymous,
July 30, 2012 10:23 PM

I'm disappointed in Rabbi Kahn and in Aish for publishing this. This phrase was clearly taken out of context, and by interpreting it this way, only serves to propagate what amounts to a lie upon which Republicans are now building their campaign.

(7)
Anonymous,
July 30, 2012 9:31 PM

tip of the iceberg

We should listen to the President's words carefully. I continue to be stunned that any Jewish person can vote for him. I suppose it's similar to all the Jews who supported Lenin and Trotsky in the Russian Revolution. Look where that got them!

Borochov,
July 31, 2012 4:12 PM

Trotsky? Trotsky??

Trotsky was a Jew who turned against everything Jewish. Lenin on the other hand had a Jewish grandfather but that wasn't enough. Jewish communists were proved to be wrong!

Anonymous,
August 1, 2012 7:40 PM

out of context

I think you misunderstood my point. Many Jews supported the revolution. Maybe Jewish Communists/Socialists proved to be wrong in time, but their dear leader, Stalin, killed millions of the Jewish people and millions of others. By the way, I suspect many of the ancestors of Russian, Jewish Communists, now live in the US and vote for our current dear leader. I guess some just don't learn by their mistakes.

(6)
Mary,
July 30, 2012 8:08 PM

Spot on, Rabbi Kahn

Rabbi said it all: "We are endowed with the potential for greatness; we therefore have the responsibility to be great, to make a difference." Every one of us need to look in the mirror first and then ask, 'Am I measuring up to what God has given me?'

(5)
Anonymous,
July 30, 2012 7:40 PM

Out of context

Rabbi, you make excellent points, but this comment was clearly taken out of context. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/26/jon-stewart-you-didnt-build-that_n_1705264.html

Anonymous,
July 30, 2012 11:07 PM

This was not taken out of context! I heard Mr. Obama say, "If you have a business, you didn't build it"

Anonymous,
July 31, 2012 1:22 AM

The comments were clearly taken in context

This statement by Obama got to the core of what he and other extreme leftists are all about: Denying individual achievement. This makes it easier for their consciences as they increasingly target the productive, both for taxation and for channeling the resentments of the unproductive parts of society into dependable votes.

Anonymous,
August 1, 2012 12:19 AM

correct!

Unfortunately, it will have a natural ending.. we will eventually run out of other people's money and achievements.

(4)
Barbara Chestney,
July 30, 2012 6:50 PM

The thrust of all this unnecessary discussion is that the Republican Party chose to take the President's words completely out of context.

(3)
Charles Robert Daven,
July 30, 2012 5:39 PM

Tedious, hair-splitting and muddled

Gottenyu: Seven paragraphs before coming to the conclusion that the president misspoke. And that conclusion, of course, is wrong.
Further, I disagree that there is such a thing as "the" Jewish approach to creativity. But let's remember that the Torah cautions us against braying "Kochi v'Otzem Yadi" [my strength and my might have accomplished this valor].. Isn't that basically what Obama said?

(2)
ceecee,
July 30, 2012 4:12 PM

help

what is the difference here besides the speaker?
2002 Romney spoke at the Salt Lake City Olympics ROMNEY: You Olympians, however, know you didn’t get here solely on your own power. For most of you, loving parents, sisters or brothers, encouraged your hopes, coaches guided, communities built venues in order to organize competitions. All Olympians stand on the shoulders of those who lifted them. We’ve already cheered the Olympians, let’s also cheer the parents, coaches, and communities.

(1)
Anonymous,
July 30, 2012 1:37 PM

President Obama was referring to community.

President Obama was paraphrasing Elizabeth Warren, the Democratic candidate for Senator in Massachussett:
"You built a factory out there? Good for you. But I want to be clear: you moved your goods to market on the roads the rest of us paid for; you hired workers the rest of us paid to educate; you were safe in your factory because of police forces and fire forces that the rest of us paid for. You didn't have to worry that marauding bands would come and seize everything at your factory, and hire someone to protect against this, because of the work the rest of us did."
She continues: "Now look, you built a factory and it turned into something terrific, or a great idea? God bless. Keep a big hunk of it. But part of the underlying social contract is you take a hunk of that and pay forward for the next kid who comes along."
Obama - and Warren - got it exactly right. To say he somehow discouraged Americans by pointing out this patriotic sentiment is partisan and just plain wrong.

Leah,
July 30, 2012 6:24 PM

It may be a wrong type of statement to make- it is. He did make the statement and he meant (and means) every word of it.
There should be no jaw dropped if this man remains the president and the US fails... he has already started the process...

Onegr8singer,
July 30, 2012 6:50 PM

BRAVO to this comment.............

Thank-you for edifying this--obviously an elightened interpretation of our President's remarks and intentions vs.
one that is not-so-much........

Anonymous,
July 31, 2012 11:37 PM

Taxes, not community

State taxes pay for schools & most roads & local taxes pay for police. The federal government should not raising taxes based upon this faulty argument. Unfortunately, too much of the money raised by the government goes to the financial backers of the politicians & too little to the average person average the money goes through the sieve of political corruption. The real truth is that every individual is responsible for our family & neighbors. We must do it. If we shirk off (our individual duty to care for each other) onto the government, then we are lost.

I just got married and have an important question: Can we eat rice on Passover? My wife grew up eating it, and I did not. Is this just a matter of family tradition?

The Aish Rabbi Replies:

The Torah instructs a Jew not to eat (or even possess) chametz all seven days of Passover (Exodus 13:3). "Chametz" is defined as any of the five grains (wheat, spelt, barley, oats, and rye) that came into contact with water for more than 18 minutes. Chametz is a serious Torah prohibition, and for that reason we take extra protective measures on Passover to prevent any mistakes.

Hence the category of food called "kitniyot" (sometimes referred to generically as "legumes"). This includes rice, corn, soy beans, string beans, peas, lentils, peanuts, mustard, sesame seeds and poppy seeds. Even though kitniyot cannot technically become chametz, Ashkenazi Jews do not eat them on Passover. Why?

Products of kitniyot often appear like chametz products. For example, it can be hard to distinguish between rice flour (kitniyot) and wheat flour (chametz). Also, chametz grains may become inadvertently mixed together with kitniyot. Therefore, to prevent confusion, all kitniyot were prohibited.

In Jewish law, there is one important distinction between chametz and kitniyot. During Passover, it is forbidden to even have chametz in one's possession (hence the custom of "selling chametz"). Whereas it is permitted to own kitniyot during Passover and even to use it - not for eating - but for things like baby powder which contains cornstarch. Similarly, someone who is sick is allowed to take medicine containing kitniyot.

What about derivatives of kitniyot - e.g. corn oil, peanut oil, etc? This is a difference of opinion. Many will use kitniyot-based oils on Passover, while others are strict and only use olive or walnut oil.

Finally, there is one product called "quinoa" (pronounced "ken-wah" or "kin-o-ah") that is permitted on Passover even for Ashkenazim. Although it resembles a grain, it is technically a grass, and was never included in the prohibition against kitniyot. It is prepared like rice and has a very high protein content. (It's excellent in "cholent" stew!) In the United States and elsewhere, mainstream kosher supervision agencies certify it "Kosher for Passover" -- look for the label.

Interestingly, the Sefardi Jewish community does not have a prohibition against kitniyot. This creates the strange situation, for example, where one family could be eating rice on Passover - when their neighbors will not. So am I going to guess here that you are Ashkenazi and your wife is Sefardi. Am I right?

Yahrtzeit of Rabbi Moses ben Nachman (1194-1270), known as Nachmanides, and by the acronym of his name, Ramban. Born in Spain, he was a physician by trade, but was best-known for authoring brilliant commentaries on the Bible, Talmud, and philosophy. In 1263, King James of Spain authorized a disputation (religious debate) between Nachmanides and a Jewish convert to Christianity, Pablo Christiani. Nachmanides reluctantly agreed to take part, only after being assured by the king that he would have full freedom of expression. Nachmanides won the debate, which earned the king's respect and a prize of 300 gold coins. But this incensed the Church: Nachmanides was charged with blasphemy and he was forced to flee Spain. So at age 72, Nachmanides moved to Jerusalem. He was struck by the desolation in the Holy City -- there were so few Jews that he could not even find a minyan to pray. Nachmanides immediately set about rebuilding the Jewish community. The Ramban Synagogue stands today in Jerusalem's Old City, a living testimony to his efforts.

It's easy to be intimidated by mean people. See through their mask. Underneath is an insecure and unhappy person. They are alienated from others because they are alienated from themselves.

Have compassion for them. Not pity, not condemning, not fear, but compassion. Feel for their suffering. Identify with their core humanity. You might be able to influence them for the good. You might not. Either way your compassion frees you from their destructiveness. And if you would like to help them change, compassion gives you a chance to succeed.

It is the nature of a person to be influenced by his fellows and comrades (Rambam, Hil. De'os 6:1).

We can never escape the influence of our environment. Our life-style impacts upon us and, as if by osmosis, penetrates our skin and becomes part of us.

Our environment today is thoroughly computerized. Computer intelligence is no longer a science-fiction fantasy, but an everyday occurrence. Some computers can even carry out complete interviews. The computer asks questions, receives answers, interprets these answers, and uses its newly acquired information to ask new questions.

Still, while computers may be able to think, they cannot feel. The uniqueness of human beings is therefore no longer in their intellect, but in their emotions.

We must be extremely careful not to allow ourselves to become human computers that are devoid of feelings. Our culture is in danger of losing this essential aspect of humanity, remaining only with intellect. Because we communicate so much with unfeeling computers, we are in danger of becoming disconnected from our own feelings and oblivious to the feelings of others.

As we check in at our jobs, and the computer on our desk greets us with, "Good morning, Mr. Smith. Today is Wednesday, and here is the agenda for today," let us remember that this machine may indeed be brilliant, but it cannot laugh or cry. It cannot be happy if we succeed, or sad if we fail.

Today I shall...

try to remain a human being in every way - by keeping in touch with my own feelings and being sensitive to the feelings of others.

With stories and insights,
Rabbi Twerski's new book Twerski on Machzor makes Rosh Hashanah prayers more meaningful. Click here to order...